State FAQs

Health & Wellness

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is common disease of pigs and is caused by the same category of influenza virus (influenza A) that causes flu in humans. While outbreaks of swine flu are common in pigs, swine flu is uncommon in humans. It can occur, however, in individuals who are around pigs, and it is known that the virus can spread between humans in much the same way regular flu can spread, typically through coughing or sneezing as well as by contact with items contaminated by flu virus.

Prior to the current outbreak, only a dozen cases of swine flu were reported over the past four years in the United States. One death was reported, during an outbreak on an army base in 1976, and in 1988 a pregnant woman from Wisconsin died of swine flu. The current outbreak appears to be caused by a strain of swine flu not previously seen in humans (H1N1).

What are the symptoms and treatment of swine flu?
Swine flu in humans resembles seasonal flu, with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people experience diarrhea and vomiting as well. Like regular flu, swine flu can in some cases cause serious respiratory problems or worsening of chronic medical problems.

Swine flu can be treated with some of the same drugs that are used for regular flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of the antiviral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®). The medications work best if they are started within two days of the onset of symptoms.

How does swine flu spread and can it be prevented? Is there a vaccine?
People can spread swine flu when they have symptoms and possibly as long as seven days after they first become ill, even if symptoms have subsided. It is also thought that children can remain contagious for an even longer period of time. There is currently no vaccine for prevention of swine flu, and vaccines used for seasonal flu provide no protective effect for the current H1N1 strain of swine flu. As a result, people should follow sensible preventive measures, like these recommended by the CDC:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses spread this way.

The CDC has also recommended that people who live in or have recently traveled to areas where swine flu cases have been reported and who develop flu symptoms consider seeking care from their health care providers. More serious symptoms require emergency medical care. In children, such symptoms include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Fever with a rash

In adults, such symptoms include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

Swine flu is not spread by food, such as pork, which is safe when handled and prepared appropriately.

Are there any travel restrictions related to the outbreak?

The CDC maintains regularly updated travel recommendations that address preparing for travel, monitoring the situation in the area(s) you will be visiting, practicing healthy habits to reduce the spread of flu, and what to do if you feel sick.